Creating connections

Ocean Grove’s Bloom Art and Coffee isn’t just an art school – it’s a space fostering creativity and bringing together a community, driven by a combination of passions.

Nikki Lindsay and her partner Andy Welfare purchased the business, originally Art’skool, at the start of the year, relaunching it as Bloom Art and Coffee.

“We call it Bloom, as in the meaning of growth, so people that come in here, that’s what we want them to do, grow through their art and connection,” Lindsay said.

Working in the admin side of the school before taking over, Lindsay saw the vision of what the business could be.

“When I started working here, I could see how I could grow it and how I could make it such a really great community and that’s what it’s really become,” she said.

“I developed a connection in the creative side of things and the values that we stood for then and I just decided to keep the legacy going.”

 

Bloom Art and Coffee offer a range of painting and pottery classes across all demographics and abilities, along with an open studio class, where participants can explore illustration, watercolour and digital art.

They also provide classes for participants through the NDIS, people with disabilities and those struggling with their mental health.

For Lindsay, Bloom Art and Coffee is more than a business – it’s a community built around creativity and bringing people together.

“The business is not just about art and the pottery, it’s a lot more about social well-being and having connection with other people in the community and having a great coffee at the same time,” she said.

 

Lindsay said she’s seen first hand how art and pottery have the power to transform lives, in particular the process and sense of achievement that comes with it.

“I actually wouldn’t have believed it until I saw it, how much art and the pottery side of things, what it does for people, especially vulnerable people and then I was sold straight away.

“For many, especially those who struggle with their mental health or live with a disability, this place has become their sanctuary.

“Some kids might be laying on the floor with their canvas doing painting, or they’ll be sitting on the couch and it’s just something away from the pressures of school and they can come here and relax.

“I feel so proud of all the students creations and especially when I can see how happy they are and how proud of it they are as well.”

 

As part of the expansion for Bloom Art and Coffee, the coffee shop has recently opened and was something Lindsay had wanted to do from the beginning.

Converted from the building’s foyer, the coffee shop was built from scratch and produces homemade muffins, slices and treats, an outdoor garden space has also been included, offering a place to welcome children and dogs.

“We’re absolutely loving it, it’s been such a great addition to the art studio, it sort of brings it all together and it’s got a really nice community feel,” Lindsay said.

The coffee shop has also become a “training hub” where NDIS participants learn in a hospitality environment from café disability support workers, whose primary focus is supporting individuals with disabilities in developing skills for employment.

Lindsay owned her own café for five years before selling it just before COVID when she started studying mental health and disability, working as a health support worker and a café disability support worker.

 

Through Bloom Art and coffee, she’s been able to bring all her passions together under the one business.

“I’ve done so many jobs that I haven’t really loved, but I jump out of bed to come here every day. I absolutely love it and everybody that comes in here is so different and never boring.

Lindsay describes herself an empath and said she wants people who come into the space to feel valued.

“You can have all these outside pressures, but when they come in here, everyone is treated the same.

“It’s like a real community and I just love seeing people connect and people make friends, but the feeling I get even when I walk into the kids classes here, it’s just such a beautiful vibe.”

 

Lindsay’s got her sights set on the future, continuing to build an inclusive community while her next project aims to launch an open studio, specifically for disengaged youth and those experiencing school refusal.

“It’s something I’m very passionate about and basically we want to create a safe space where teens can express themselves freely away from the pressures of school through art and pottery,” she said.

“This can build their confidence, develop new skills and connect them with like minded people.

“It’s not just about making art; it’s about giving them a sense of belonging and opportunity to be a part of a supportive community.”

Bloom Art and Coffee is at 1/20 Everist Road in Ocean Grove.

For more information, head to bloomartandcoffee.com.au